House rules change complicates budget picture

BATON ROUGE -- Some budget bills will have a tougher time making it out of the Louisiana House after lawmakers there adopted a rule change Monday requiring a two-thirds supermajority vote before one-time money can be spent on recurring expenses.

File photoRep. Brett Geymann

The rule was adopted on a 60-42 vote over objections from Gov. Bobby Jindal's administration, and complicates the prospects for passage of the $25 billion state operating budget.

State Rep. Brett Geymann, R-Lake Charles, said House Resolution 27 was designed to curb the state's "addiction" to spending one-time money -- such as cash from the sale of prisons -- on ongoing state government operations. The practice is common in state government, albeit one that's long been derided by fiscal conservatives including Jindal.

Lawmakers can still spend one-time money with a majority vote, but only if the amount of such spending doesn't exceed the projected growth in state revenue.

In practical terms, the change means it will take a two-thirds vote to pass the $25 billion state budget bill when it comes up for debate Wednesday, unless lawmakers are willing to make a fresh round of cuts.

The budget proposed for next year currently includes about $435 million in one-time money, including cash that was taken from various state funds to be spent on general operating expenses. Under the new rule, lawmakers could only spend $386 million in one-time cash with a simple majority.

"It's a game-changer, but it's not a deal-killer," Geymann said.

The rule change gives a powerful new tool to Democrats and other opponents of the governor's spending plans, who could grind the budget debate to a halt by cobbling together 36 votes in the 105-member House.

Opponents of the measure said it would tie the Legislature's hands.

"I have a fear that we're going to tie our hands so much that we won't be able to give the money to the people when they need it," said Rep. Kay Kellogg Katz, R-Monroe, who offered an amendment to carve out an exception for health-care spending.